Attic Egress Window

Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 irc.

Attic egress window.

The 2009 and 2015 irc verbiage is similar and still applicable. They include skylights dormer windows rose windows and top hinged roof windows. Since the staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit. Have an egress point.

Egress windows are usually required when finishing a basement or attic. The minimum egress window opening is 20 wide. When the sill height of an egress window is located below grade common for egress windows provided for a basement a window well must be provided. Since any staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit.

Two means of egress. The egress window must have a glass area of not less than 8 of the total floor area of room s for which it is servicing to allow the minimum amount of sufficient natural light. The minimum egress window opening height is 24 high. There are different types of new construction and replacement windows that are specially designed for attic installation.

The area of a window well shall not be less than 9 square feet with a horizontal length width of no less than 36 inches. The minimum opening area of the egress window is 5 7 square feet. A rose window is circular and decorative. Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable.

An egress window is a window that is large enough according to local building codes to enter or exit a room during an emergency. Attics are the worst place to be in a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly. Egress window well code requirements. Attic ventilation natural lighting and aesthetic value.

Egress is defined as the act of coming or going out. V 2500 series white vinyl right handed sliding window with fiberglass mesh screen. Attics are the worst place to be in the event of a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly. Egress is literally defined as a path out or to emerge and these terms directly apply to the design principles behind egress windows.